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Just like the state of Delaware – allegedly nicknamed the Diamond State by Thomas Jefferson, who saw it as a jewel among states – the blue crab is small but highly sought after. The sweet blue crab goes hand in hand with summers on the mid-Atlantic beaches, sun-soaked days, carnival games and bumper cars. The Delaware River marks the northeastern border of the state before becoming the Delaware Bay, emptying out into the Atlantic Ocean. The southeastern portion of the second smallest state is where the well-known beaches of Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany have been summer escapes for over 100 years. While Delaware is known as the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, and one of the few states without sales tax, the state also offers ideal locations for dropping a pot in the water and catching yourself a bushel of crabs.

Crabbing Basics

Nonresidents over the age of 16 are required to have a recreational fishing license to fish for crabs in Delaware waters. Fishing licenses can be purchased online or in person through authorized license agents, generally found at tackle shops or marinas. Nonresidents can purchase a seven-day tourist license or an annual fishing license. When fishing from a boat, the owner of the boat can purchase a boat license to cover all anglers on the boat. However, this license does not transfer to shore crabbing.

Recreational crabbing is permitted from March 1 to Nov. 30. Legal gear includes no more than two crab pots, unlimited crab traps, trotline, dip net, seine net no more than 300 feet in length or hand lines. Recreational crabbers are limited to one bushel of crabs per day. The minimum size for the crab is 5 inches, and any females bearing eggs must be returned to the water immediately so as not to decrease the crab population.

Many of the best crabbing spots are located in Delaware state parks or wildlife areas. The state parks require a day pass, paid for at the gate, good for all of the parks in the state. Annual passes are available online and in person at a handful of retailers.

Woodland Beach Wildlife Area

The Woodland Beach Wildlife Area is 6,000 acres of tidal marsh, forest and agricultural fields dedicated to wildlife management. This quiet wildlife area is located where the Delaware River becomes the Delaware Bay just north of Dover. Crabbing is done at the Woodland Beach Fishing Pier on the southern portion of the wildlife area. Woodland Beach is closed from dusk to dawn to visitors who are not fishing/crabbing or hunting. The steel pier is well-lit at night.

Holts Landing State Park

Located 7 miles northwest of Bethany Beach, Holts Landing State Park boasts the only pier on Delaware’s inland bays built specifically for crabbing. The pier, open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, overhangs the shallow waters of the Indian River Bay. The small 203-acre state park is a hidden gem often overlooked for more popular locations along Route 1 between Rehoboth Beach and the southern Delaware border.

Delaware Seashore State Park

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay to the west, the 2,800-acre Delaware Seashore State Park is an ideal location for beginner crabbers. The Indian River Marina provides a weekly two-hour “Crabbing 101” class between June and August. Preregistration is required for the hands-on program, where first-timers learn different crabbing techniques, traps, bait and current regulations.

Disclosure

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

About the Author

Katerina Fuller, a native of Washington, DC, is a world traveler and creative chronicler of relatable travel guidance. Fuller spent a year exploring the off-the-beaten-path reaches of the US, often driving through and camping in remote areas of the Lower 48. Fuller's extensive experience in writing simple how-to articles on complex topics as well as her personal experiences traveling the US, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa give her travel columns a uniquely accessible angle. More of Fuller's work can be found on her portfolio bebravetraveler.com